What is Alzheimer’s Disease



What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects specific areas of the brain, leading to progressive loss of memory and loss of other mental functions and dementia.

Why should you test your memory?

At the age of about 60 years, individuals living in the United States have a 1 in 1000 chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease each year. This risk increases to 1 in 100 by the age of 75 years

10 Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease (Alzheimer’s Association):

1. Memory loss.

2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.

3. Problems with language

4. Disorientation to time and place.

5. Poor or decreased judgment.

6. Problems with abstract thinking.

7. Misplacing things.

8. Changes in mood or behavior.

9. Changes in personality.

10. Loss of initiative.

If you have such difficulties, the Mem-Trax® test

can help determine if the problem is significant.

Mem-Trax®

Memory Rating Scale

Personal Mem-Trax® Record

___________________________

(Name)

The Mem-Trax® Rating System tests learning and short-term memory, which are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. You may take the test for free at:

memtrax

Personal Mem-Trax® Record

Keep track of your performance each time that you take the Mem-Trax® memory test.

Use the form on the next page to record your score. Each entry on the Rating System is important for assessing your memory performance.

SCORE: The score indicates the percent of the images that were recognized correctly.

85-100% = Normal short term memory

70-84% = Mild memory changes

60-69% = Significant memory change

Below 60% = Chance

Recognition Reaction Time

This is a measure of how quickly you recognized the pictures, an important part of memory and thinking.

< 1 second is normal

1.0 – 1.3 seconds suggests mild slowing

1.3 – 1.6 seconds may indicate significant slowing in reaction speed

Scores above 1.6 seconds may indicate severe slowing in reaction speed

Validity Number

This number gives an indication of how well you were able to follow the directions for the test.

70-100 indicates that the test is a valid measure of your performance.

If your score is less than 70, you may wish to reread the directions and retake the test.

| |Date |Date |Date |Date |

| | | | | |

|SCORE | | | | |

| | | | | |

|Recognition Reaction | | | | |

|Time | | | | |

| | | | | |

|Validity Number | | | | |

| | | | | |

| | | | | |

50 - 65 years old: Take the Mem-Trax® once a year as a part of your annual check-up. Use this to establish you baseline performance.

Over 65 years old: Take the Mem-Trax® every 3 months to monitor memory function.

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The Mem-Trax® system is a screening test, not a diagnostic exam. If you are concerned about your performance, talk to your physician or other clinical specialist.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and Dr. Ashford’s theories and papers, see:



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Developed by

J. Wesson Ashford, MD, PhD



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